Music of the Mountains....In Loving Memory of my Uncle Jim.......Blue~

This afternoon, I’m sitting here as so many memories go through my mind. how each experience is unique and how each person’s reaction to the passing of a dear loved one. The things we say and do. Coping dealing with loss is never easy…the more we love the deeper the grief often, profound.. My Uncle passed away on the 23rd.... I was thinking about the songs I used to ask my Uncle Jim to play on his dulcimer, harmonica or accordion. He was a gifted and talented musician, my entire family are, both sides! They either sing or play an instrument or do both..

Jim was also a wonderful storyteller often weaving stories of old filled with adventure and often humor. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh, often giving those he especially liked a unique nickname. He was a talented painter, most often painting landscapes with acrylics and watercolors he and another uncle, Gary did this and displayed their works throughout the family home. He also enjoyed working with wood. Creating model airplanes, boats both large and small. He also made from wood WWI and WWII Military tanks and accessories…they were so lifelike I think some perhaps “over—nervous” neighbor who rented next door to him actually called the police, believing the tank and accessories were real! Lol We all got a real laugh out of that!

My Uncle Jim loved to cook and always had a vegetable garden…Oh those delicious tomatoes, and veggies Mmm were they divine! I think one of his favorite past times were when all the family were gathered together around a Sunday Supper table….laughing, good conversation and the delicious aromas of food cooking from the kitchen…What memories were made..

I can still remember the old farm house bench where all of us grandchildren sat… I think someone said our grandfather had made that bench….Unfortunately I never met him, he passed before I was a twinkle in my Mama’s eye. I now have a farmhouse bench myself that my beloved Ed made a few years ago. I painted it a bright red, in fact I have several benches the same color. I guess we take a lot with us from our experiences growing up. I too enjoy a vegetable garden, growing flowers. Spending hours with family….while growing up no doubt their way of cooking, habits of neatness and some old-fashioned ways. Let’s face it, how many people do we know enjoy hanging out clothes on a clothesline in the Summertime and ironing on the porch while listening to the birds singing? But these have become part of what I now do.

I enjoy a Summer clothesline…there’s nothing like the fresh smell of linens, towels, clothing warmed from the fresh wind and sunshine. I think I get my love of Westerns and all those heroes my Uncle Jim watched when my family and I gathered there. It amazes me how much kids can absorb so much around them., how they can adapt to their environment. Since his boyhood, Jim was such a hard worker….often spending long grueling hours in the hot Summer sun, plowing with either his team of mules or horses. Yes, he did it the hard way, the old-fashioned way….long before John Deere ever thought of the tractor….

He and my Mom’s family lived on a farm, raised fields of corn, oats and wheat.. Raised vegetable gardens, farm animals, of course horses, mules, chickens cows, pigs, other than the horses, mules, they raised them for food, the cows for their milk and butter…sewed their own clothing…. They lived upon a hill in a cabin there on their farm Those were the Old days when the times were very hard but every one cared and they shared. So sad we don’t see very much of that any more. When people used to gather together have Sunday dinners. My uncle was raised in a large family, his brothers, sisters, mom and dad had dogs for companionship and dogs for hunting small game.

With hand to the plow, the baby boomer generation, knew about hard work. Sometimes it helps to share of Someone’s life….it’s not in how they left but how they lived while they were here. Jim didn’t become a star with his gifted playing of the dulcimer, the harmonica and accordion, but his playing touched my heart, my life as I’m sure it did many others. Oftentimes, I felt as though my Uncle and his brother Gary were cheated somehow, believing if there had been someone who could have introduced them both to a better life…more opportunity to explore life, to have better experiences…like the adventures from the stories he often told while we were growing up. I cannot help but feel sad about that……. but God….and perhaps Someday I will know why…..

Even though His paintings were not on display in some New York Art gallery….neither his crafted wood creations. I could see even at a young age and appreciated his natural gifted talent. And like the family’s talent for singing, playing instruments, I was told my grandfather also could sing, play the organ and enjoyed dancing. Maybe it’s all a part of the magic of these mountains……When you are here and it’s quiet…You can hear the music the song of these mountains…. making music all their own….and the people from here seem to learn at an early age….the rich heritage inherent as it is passed down to each generation----God--given talents abilities are given and these gifts older than the mountains themselves…….

I love You Jim….Thank You for the laughter and the music when I think of You, I will always remember Your laughter

Go with God~

23rd Psalm The Lord is my Shepherd The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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